Table 2.

General laboratory setup, North West Ethiopia, 2024

Malaria microscopy laboratory format
Variables	Response category	Percent of study participants
Presence of a standard laboratory request paper	Yes	4(100%)
	No	0
Availability of SOP	Yes	1 (25%)
	No	3 (75%)
Presence of guideline for reagent preparation	Yes	2 (50%)
	No	2 (50%)
Availability of Internal quality control (IQC)log sheet	Yes	2 (50%)
	No	2 (50%)
Maintenance logbook for microscope	Yes	0
	No	4 (100%)
Malaria microscopy skill assessment
type of blood film they use	Thin	0
	Thick	4 (100%)
	Both	0
Blood smear drying system	Heat	4 (100%)
	Air	0
Number of fields of examined to report a negative result	≥ 100	1 (25%)
	< 100	3 (75%)
Perform a parasite count	Yes	0
	No	4 (100%)
Reporting species & stages	Yes	4 (100%)
	No	0
number of malaria slides examined daily	< 5	0
	5–10	0
	> 10	4 (100%)
Does the work load allow the recommended reading time	Yes	0
	No	4 (100%)
Information related to staining reagent & equipment
Method of diagnosis for malaria	Microscope	3 (75%)
	Microscope &RDT	1 (25%)
Labeling of stock solution	Yes	3 (75%)
	No	1 (25%)
Recommended Storage of staining solutions	Yes	4 (100%)
	No	0
How prepare/dilute working solution	Tape water	3 (75%)
	Distilled water	1 (25%)
Cleaning of Lense of microscope with recommended solution	Yes	2 (50%)
	No	2 (50%)
General Information on quality Assurance
Internal quality control programs conducted regularly	Yes	0
	No	4 (100%)
Slide rechecked when result released	Yes	0
	No	4 (100%)
Supervision from regional or national laboratories within a year	Yes	3 (75%)
	No	1 (25%)
Regular training program for microscopists available	Yes	1 (25%)
	No	3 (75%)
Participating in EQA program	Yes	4 (100%)
	No	0